Real estate News

Area News Feed

AP Top Headlines

TALLAHASSEE, FL - In an unprecedented move, prompted by a federal investigation and subsequent prosecution of several corrupt public officials, Florida Gov. Charlie Crist has asked the Florida Supreme Court to impanel a statewide grand jury to investigate political corruption. Crist cited an apparent "culture of corruption" in Florida.

Crist indicated that he decided on this action based on "an unsettling string of crime, and unconscionable violations of the public trust by public officials"

The grand jury of 18 citizens will be meeting in secret for one year during which time it has wide latitude and authority to indict public officials and make recommendations for changes in state law.

Today, we take a stand to root out public corruption

Florida Governor Charlie Crist

Closer to Crist's home, Florida House Speaker Ray Sansom, R-Destin, stepped down from his post amid a scandal involving a Republican fundraiser.

This month, Broward County Commissioner Josephus Eggelletion and school board member Beverly Gallagher were arrested, as was fundraiser and Hollywood eye doctor Alan Mendelsohn, who served on Crist's gubernatorial transition team.

These cases, however, were investigated and prosecuted by Federal prosecutors and not the state attorney. There were complaints that the governor was laggard in initiating this much needed grand jury inquiry. State Attorneys in Florida are elected officials and often criticized for ignoring corruption cases where their campaign financiers, friends or associates are affected.

Federal authorities have more far-reaching tools to combat corruption, including the federal "honest services" law that requires public officials to act in their constituents' best interest.

Crist's office has not yet indicated whether the grand jury will also look into the various criminal complaints filed but that have not yet been acted upon against Daytona Beach public officials.

Among these complaints is the city purchase of the personal residence of Daytona Beach Commissioner, Rick Shiver for over twice its just value. The home was suddenly demolished under orders by the City Commission and without public scrutiny. This inexplicable move by the Commission and City Management was taken amid multiple citizens complaints for lack of transparency and apparent abuse of powers to provide financial benefit to one of their own at the expense of taxpayers.

Other complaints include the unbudgeted funding of personal hobbies and indulgences of local multimillionaires which also happen to be key political supporters and friends of the same elected officials making the gifts. Other uninvestigated actions uncovered by residents include the purchase of grossly overvalued property from campaign contributors and friends (such as City of Daytona Beach buys small 20-foot strip of land from campaign financer for $320,955 ).

In all, several hundred million dollars have been dissipated from Daytona Beach mostly into the hands of a handful of local multimillionaire special interests that exert control over the City Commission during this last wave of local government corruption. The formerly bustling beach town has fallen into a state of anarchy, poverty, crime and overall despair.

The Orlando Sentinel reported that Florida leaders have known for years that state public-corruption laws lack teeth. In 1999, then-Gov. Jeb Bush created a task force that recommended a broader definition of public corruption and a stiffer, 15-year maximum sentence for bribery. Even with Bush pushing the idea, a watered-down version didn't pass until 2003.

What do you think of this post?

7
comments:

The clock is ticking... Time's up for these low grade individuals to finally face the law. They will likely bring up down the real culprits but no one is holding his breath as the pack of corporate big wigs that have ruined this city also control many of the Judges.

Ditto, the grip of undue influence from the big wigs in Daytona Beach over their corrupt city officials and, more importantly, over the authorities responsible for investigation and prosecution of corruption is too strong.

Nothing will be done about stopping corruption in this city. There is just too much at stake and the very powerful people that are at the receiving end, just will not allow any investigation to go forward.

I was in a lawsuit against one of these millionaire friends of these political people and he threatened me he would destroy my family and have my family murdered because I hired an attorney to sue him,he said we had no idea who he was and the powerful people he was associated with he committed a federal crime against me and I was not allowed to bring any charges against him.I was turned away by police sherriff's department, the state attorney and attorneys whom could nor would take oour case even being told by one this man was disliked by him but very important friends of this man were friends of his..a judge in civil court was told what we knew he had done and upon hiring another attorney we were kept in the dark forced to settle through threats and intimadation,such as if we went to court probably half the jury would know this man to be a pillar of the community and we would be sued even though we had evidence to prove our case.then being told by our attorney that he could do no more for us because I could have criminal charges brought against him.they have been threatening my family and my father was even murdered by a doctor who conspired and is associated with these people.I have proof but once again a cover up took place by the Judical system and law Inforcement.I lost both parents in the same manner my son has been declared incompetent and sits in Flagler county jail having his civil rights violated because he helped me with my first situation and continues to fight to expose these people.I tried to move on purchasing a home only to be taken again by these people my home is in violation of federal law and unlivable and we had to move it is in Forclosure and once again I cannot go to court to prove this crime. I even asked for my bank to represent me after my attorney quit. But no reply.I am just being ignored and terrorized when I make any move to prove my case.these people are controlling everyone and everything they want. people have no idea how large this is not only local but county and I believe throughout the state.I am very frightened for my family and others who may be experiencing something similar and things that are making them feel like they are losing their mind.there was an ad in the paper about if any one knew of corruption in the courthouse and when I called the man he stated the police came to his home and baker acted him for placing the ad.well they have done the same to my son and set him up and now he is declared incompetent.they intend to send him away to a state hospital and I am so scared because they have given him drugs in the past that has hurt him mentally.he would start hallucinating while on them so he stopped taking them and now they say he will be forced to take them.I am in such fear for my family but I know there are others who are suffering and not understanding what is happening to their lives.if these people put you on their list they will search through your whole family to find out anything they can ,who is sick,who is in trouble and they wait like a black widow spider to attack your family.you even have to become paranoid because people are sent to be friends with your family just to litteralley spy on you.perhaps you think I have lost my mind but I assure you I have not. I have proof to the things I am telling you.rest assured they will retaliate against my family just for me writing this but I am scared for my children because they are attacking them now.

thought of the day!7th Judicial circuit that would be Volusia county,Flagler county,and Putnam county,dig deeper and further than what is in front of you and you will be amazed how far it reaches,corruption that is and how far it extends itself and the circle of friends controlling it.

my son sits in jail with an arrest record that makes him look like he is dangerous to society he has been harassed to the point of mental illness. he has tried to expose crimes and corruption that was and is going on in Volusia and Flagler counties along with the powerful people who are behind it.I have visited him for three months now and watched him being violated left and right he tells me to file papers that will expose these things yet I am afraid to because they have set him up in court as mentally Incompetent and are sending him away to the state hospital. and I am in fear of what they will do to him.they conspired to declare him mentally ill and say he is dangerous to society.his accusers I have met and witnessed them threaten him.he pleaded not guilty to his charges because he wants to go to court to prove through evidence and witnesses what these powerful people are doing and the crimes they are committing he says that they declared him incompetent so he can not go to court.I feel if,no I know that if I do as my son asks they will retaliate as they have done for the past 6 years and that included the horrible abuse my parents suffered and the murder of them of which I have compelling evidence to. I am waiting for the next retaliation against my family and I fear it will be coming soon. my son changed after a Sheriff's baker acted him and he was given many different medications to take he has become very angry and obsessed with exposing these people he tells me every day to please believe him, but his story remains the same, corruption and crimes of the elite in these counties and how far reaching this goes. why am I writing this it is because I am in fear and I want this to be documented.my son states today that they took all his rights away and they won't let him file anything.he states there is a test he was suppose to have and a certain hearing for his competency yet he states his public defender of whom knows of these crimes against us because I was at a meeting while my son explained it to her went along with and lied to him and us about his case and what was going to happen.this is taking place in Flagler county because they are covering for Volusia county whom there are many witnesses to the facts my son is stating.I know my son needs counseling and mental help but it is for what they have done to him and our family.I will try to keep posting on this situation perhaps someone will step forward to help us bring forth the truth and why? because this is happening to many other disadvantaged people here in our community and who knows where else!!!!!!!the way of America's powerful??????

Post a Comment

FBI Top Stories

Florida Corruption Watch

Food for Thought

Central Florida News 13 - Latest Headlines

Daytona Beach City Commission With millions of taxpayer dollars to give wealthy cronies to pay for their hobbies and indulgences, has no money to create jobs or prevent crime

Join in the campaign to compel Florida Governor Charlie Crist Investigate Corruption in Daytona Beach. Your participation is essential to clean up our city. DO IT FOR OUR CHILDREN, THEY DESERVE A BETTER FUTURE.